Model study for subsurface trajectory of 75FeSi and SiMn ferroalloys in steel

The present study, using a low temperature model, is aimed at examining the feasibility of subsurface melting of 75FeSi and SiMn alloys added to steel baths. Wooden objects, simulating 75FeSi and SiMn of various sizes and shapes, were prepared so as to have same density ratio of 75FeSi and SiMn to steel, and their subsurface trajectories in water or zinc chloride solution following three meters of free fall through air were analyzed using video images. In general, subsurface retention times were observed to gradually increase with size of object up to a steady value. For those objects simulating 75FeSi, it was found to be dependent on shapes, spherical objects having longer retention times. The effect of shape was less pronounced for objects simulating SiMn. In a gas stirred bath, smaller cuboids for SiMn were entrained. Comparisons with estimated melting times of 75FeSi suggest that regular sized 75FeSi (ex. 20 to 50 mm) will float up and melt at the surface, when dropped to the steel bath in a ladle. A similar situation is expected with SiMn alloys. Subsurface melting may be feasible by reducing the size of 75FeSi addition from 1 to 5 mm dia. and of SiMn down to about 10 mm while simultaneously applying sufficient turbulent mixing of steel bath or providing entraining downflow velocities in the range of 10 to 30 cm/s.